Principal Construction Safety Strategist

ERM; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 137,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

PTO & parental leave

401(k) or RRSP/DPSP

Job summary

ERM seeks a Principal Technical Consultant in Construction Safety to guide clients through the full capital project lifecycle—from planning and design to construction, commissioning and closeout. Based in Indianapolis, IN or other locations, you will lead safety excellence and EHS program development.

You will influence executive stakeholders, reinforce safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement on large, high‑value projects.

Qualifications

• Experience developing, implementing, and transforming EHS management systems and construction safety programs for large capital projects.
• Ability to influence executive stakeholders and deliver strategic recommendations to improve project risk management and EHS performance.
• 6–8+ years of capital project EHS experience, including owner-side safety support, contractor oversight, and commissioning/start-up.
• Experience with Safety in Design, constructability reviews, PHA/PSM-informed risk reviews, and governance processes.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA construction/General industry standards, LOTO, permitting, emergency response, fire protection, and high-risk construction controls.
• Experience reviewing contractor safe work documentation including JHAs, pre-task plans, permits, lift plans, energy isolation plans, training records, and toolbox talks.
• Strong field presence, communication skills, and ability to influence contractors, project teams, and client EHS personnel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Partner with client EHS, Engineering, Project Controls, and Capital Project leadership to evaluate program effectiveness, identify gaps and emerging risks, and drive improvement opportunities across all project phases.
• Challenge existing approaches and facilitate strategic discussions with stakeholders regarding program maturity, organizational capability, contractor management practices, and risk governance.
• Develop and deploy scalable EHS frameworks, standards, procedures, tools, and management systems aligned with project objectives and enterprise risk management goals.
• Advise clients on Safety-by-Design integration, constructability risk management, contractor safety governance, operational readiness, and long-term sustainability of EHS programs.
• Lead assessments, benchmarking activities, maturity evaluations, and strategic improvement initiatives that strengthen safety performance and organizational capability.
• Translate technical observations and project execution challenges into executive-level recommendations and actionable roadmaps.
• Lead Safety-by-Design integration and risk-based decision making throughout the project lifecycle.
• Design and execute project EHS governance processes including risk reviews, assurance routines, site audits, escalation pathways, and corrective action tracking.
• Align multidisciplinary teams on safety expectations, communication protocols, and incident-free execution strategies.
• Review contractor safe work documentation including JHAs, pre-task plans, permits, lift plans, energy isolation/LOTO plans, training records, and emergency response plans.
• Conduct field observations and audits to verify critical controls, assess contractor conformance, and elevate corrective actions.
• Support commissioning, startup, and turnover readiness by verifying safety planning for equipment, systems, and operational transitions.
• Support project closeout by confirming safety documentation, lessons learned, corrective action closure, and proper handover of EHS records.

Skills

EHS management systems

Stakeholder influence

Construction safety program

Project safety governance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

ERM seeks a Principal Technical Consultant in Construction Safety to guide clients through the full capital project lifecycle—from planning and design to construction, commissioning and closeout. Based in Indianapolis, IN or other locations, you will lead safety excellence and EHS program development.

You will influence executive stakeholders, reinforce safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement on large, high‑value projects.